Athletics News Release

No. 2 Union falls to No. 3 Oklahoma City 69-57

Shelby Ashcraft

SHAWNEE, Okla. - 11/26/2011 - The No. 2 Union University women’s basketball could not hold on to a halftime lead as the third-ranked Oklahoma City University Stars rallied for the 69-57 win. Union dropped their first game of the season to fall to 8-1, while Oklahoma City improved to 4-0.

Union led 31-24 at the half thanks to 47 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent (3-6) shooting from long range. Union trailed 10-6 early, but responded with a 21-10 run to lead 27-20 with 3:04 to play in the half.

In the second half, Oklahoma City rallied and took their first lead of the half 43-41 at the 11:52 mark. Union’s Amy Philamlee sank a three pointer to put Union back up by one, but the lead was short-lived. With the game tied at 46-46, Oklahoma City posted a 12-2 run over the next five minutes to push their lead to double figures. Union got as close as six points down the stretch, but fell 69-57.

Union committed 22 turnovers in the game to just seven from Oklahoma City. Union out shot Oklahoma City 44 percent to 33 percent from the field, but Oklahoma City held the advantage in free throw attempts, making 23-of-30 to Union’s 15-of-17. The Stars had a 21-4 free throw attempts advantage in the second half.

Union was led by sophomore Shelby Ashcraft with a Union career high of 20 points. Lavanda Ross scored 16 points. Union made 4-of-12 three pointers for 33 percent.

Oklahoma City was led by Dietra Caldwell and Talyor Booze with 15 points each. Tiffany Goldwire added 12 points. The Stars shot 36 percent (8-22) from long range.

Up next for Union will be a home game Tuesday, November 29 versus Rust (Miss.) at 6:00 p.m.